Nick Haner '24

It’s not often a student gets to directly shape and build the future of an academic program, let alone the program’s building itself. But for Nick Haner, ‘24 mechanical engineering technology graduate, that opportunity was a reality. It also kicked off his journey to becoming a mechanical engineer at Allegheny Bradford Corporation (ABC).

Being part of a new program offered Haner a unique opportunity to help shape its development. He was actively involved in various aspects, from curriculum design to lab equipment selection and even faculty hiring. 

“We got to be really involved with not only the hiring process but also equipment selection,” he said. “Even stuff you would never think you would have input on, like curriculum building.”

Haner's firsthand involvement not only enriched his learning experience, but also fostered a sense of ownership and pride in the program's success.

While at Pitt-Bradford, he secured an internship at Zippo Manufacturing Co., maker of the world-renowned windproof lighters. As a product development engineering intern, Haner was the only intern in the engineering department, giving him broad exposure to various engineering disciplines.

"I worked with mechanical engineers, electrical, chemical, and industrial manufacturing (engineers)," he said. This diverse experience broadened his understanding of engineering and allowed him to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world projects.

Haner's work at Zippo was closely tied to his studies. He even used equipment at Pitt-Bradford to complete internship projects for Zippo. 

"We had equipment at the Duke Building that Zippo didn't have at their manufacturing facility, so I would come over and do what needed to be done," Haner said.

The hands-on experience provided to be invaluable in preparing him for his career.

When he graduated, Haner transitioned smoothly into his role as a mechanical engineer at Allegheny Bradford Corp., which specializes in manufacturing stainless steel components for a wide range of industries. 

As mechanical engineer, Haner analyzes product designs, runs calculations and modeling software to ensure structural and code requirements, then provides finalized designs to the fabrication department. His role requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of engineering principles.

Haner points out that his ability to secure a traditional mechanical engineering role with an MET degree illustrates the robustness of Pitt-Bradford’s engineering program. He explained that the knowledge and experience students gain from Pitt-Bradford’s mechanical engineering technology degree sets them up for a broad range of success and possibilities within the engineering world. 

"Knowing what I know now, there's nothing stopping any student with an MET degree from pursuing a traditional engineering position," he said.